Holiday Q&A – TBB Asks
Today The Blended Blog is continuing the monthly question and answer post with lots of fun prompts all about the holidays. Use the graphic below and link up your answers so we can all learn just a bit more about one another. 
One | We have several trees and they are all fake. I always had a real tree growing up but about 16 years ago I started having a big reaction to the tree once I was taking it down and I just decided it wasn’t worth it. While I do miss the experience of heading out to cut a tree down ourselves, it sure is nice to just pull that sucker down each year!
Two | My Meme’s Chocolate Cookies are my absolute favorite. The only thing Christmasy about these cookies is they have only ever been made during the Christmas season. My Meme made them my entire life and would box them up for friends and now I enjoy the same tradition. They are amazing.
Three | Once Dillon was born Christmas morning has always been celebrated at our own home. I look forward to Christmas morning every year as I know my kids will be home and we will enjoy sharing the morning together opening gifts, laughing, eating yummy food and sometimes playing games.
Four | I love colored lights but somehow we have moved to all white lights both inside and outside.
Five | Absolutely we send Christmas cards! Sending and receiving cards is one of my very favorite things about the season. I hope mine actually arrive this week so they can make it into the mail! You can see last years card here and the previous year we did a little multiple choice/true false questionnaire to include with our card which was so fun! I also shared a few tips to a successful family photo. Here’s a little preview of our 2017 family pictures and one a picture that didn’t make it onto our card.
Six | Hmm….the most memorable gift I’ve ever received was a waterbed when I was 16! Last year Keith surprised me with a diamond drop and it was such a sweet surprise. Surprises really are my favorite even if sometimes I act weird because I truly am clueless how to respond when I’m surprised!
Seven | I don’t think I could choose just one! When there was still Santa at our house I loved seeing my kids faces when they knew Santa brought what they asked. I am pretty sure if it was within reason we did whatever we could to make their little dreams come true! All four at some point received an electric car and those were by far some of the most fun to see them try to maneuver the first time!
Eight | I love finding little surprises for the kids stockings! Some years, however, it has been Christmas eve when I realized I’m short and I end up at Walgreens at 9:49!! Last year we started a new tradition where each of us have $20 and 20 minutes to grab one gift for each family members stocking. It honestly was so fun on Christmas morning going through the stocking and seeing how creative everyone was!
Nine | Hmm…we definitely almost always have pj’s for Christmas morning but I’d say they aren’t always necessarily Christmas pj’s. They may have some Christmas colors but I’m a weirdo and will be making sure those suckers can be worn way longer than just December.
Ten | I’m not sure I could choose a favorite! I absolutely love Christmas carols and all 6 slots of my CD player in my car hold a Christmas CD at the moment. I’m pretty much about the traditional songs for sure.
Eleven | Typically the weekend before Christmas I dedicate to baking goodies and love delivering them to friends and family. We always have Christmas eve with the Janac side of the family, Christmas morning and brunch at our house and then we travel to my home town for Christmas with my family the day after. Tamales are a huge tradition at Kielman Christmas.
Twelve | I could definitely fit a little into each category! I typically shop early and do fairly well for my kids and then all of a sudden two days before I’ll be scrambling for friends and other family members.
Thirteen | I’m not satisfied with the Christmas season until I’ve had the chance to watch Love Actually and The Holiday but watching Elf and A Christmas Story definitely get me totally in the spirit of Christmas.
Fourteen | I love a good cup of egg nog with a little Crowne Royal mixed in but typically only one glass. We always have champagne and cranberry juice on Christmas morning.
Fifteen | Well of course! All that hard work, Santa deserves the cookies!
Now it’s your turn to spread your Christmas cheer and linkup your Holiday Answers!
I LOVE your $20/20 minutes tradition!! Your family is so beautiful! I want to come sip egg nog with you all!! Happy Monday babe!
Your crew would be sure to have a super fun time with the $20/20……we seriously laughed so hard on Christmas morning seeing what each person picked for us and why. Dillon seriously gave me a wooden D…because “he’s my favorite”. haha Hope you have a super week friend! Muah
Elf is a must for sure! I love that it is now on TV in July! The $20/20 thing is fabulous!
It was seriously the most fun last year Carrie! This year I definitely will have to have a prize ready for the person who gets the closest to $20 without busting!
Elf is our favorite family movie! I love reading your answers to these fun questions, such a great way to connect!
xo,
Kellyann
We have already watched it TWICE Kellyann!! I seriously can’t believe so many years past before I watched it the first time. Like I seriously think I’ve only been watching it for like 4 years. haha
Those three movies are my very fave as well!! Love the 20 under 20 idea!
Now that everyone is old enough to know about the big guy from the North Pole, this has been a fun new tradition!
Yup, Love Actually and the Holiday are a must!
Okay.. I have to admit I’ve never seen Love Actually but I am going to make sure I watch it this season!
If we are as much alike as we think you will love it….BUT…it is definitely for after C goes to bed haha!
I love the $20 stocking stuffer idea! I want to start that with my family. And yes to Love Actually! Our local theater is showing it this weekend and my boyfriend and I are going to go watch it on the big screen!
I saw it the first time on the big screen!! Love it.
I pinned your Meme’s Chocolate Cookies. They look like gooey, brownie deliciousness. That stocking idea is GREAT!!! If I can remember it (next year) I’ll institute it. This year we’ll be in VA and don’t get there until late, late, late on the 23rd. Fun reading your answers! Happy Monday!
They are amazing Lisa! A little temperamental with the weather sometimes if that is even possible but oh so amazing.
Yep to Love Actually. We watched Elf last night, and it was my first time watching it. Loved it! Love the $20 stocking stuffer idea, so cute!
I seriously missed out on Elf for quite a few years and I’m not sure how!! I loved it. I also like Christmas Vacation but totally didn’t remember it was a little less kid appropriate than I thought. haha
I love Love Actually!
I usually do the same with the baking and delivering. I was actually just looking at the calendar trying to plan out what dates I would do that this year. It’s going to be here all too fast.
You have such a beautiful family. That’s so funny – I forgot about waterbeds – does anyone get those anymore? They were such a big deal years ago.
Lisa
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Girl..I LOVED my waterbed and totally would still have one if it was acceptable. haha The only time I remember it being an issue is when I had too much to drink haha
I love doing Christmas in my own home, it’s much more comfortable. I prefer a fake tree over a real, I love the pre-lit trees.
I know your Christmas cards are gonna look great!
Well…we will see….I always love them so much more when I hire my girl to take them!
The $20/20 minutes tradition sounds so fun, especially as my kids get older. I love your Christmas card pictures. I have only received one card so far, and definitely had fewer last year than usual. I think it might be a dying art! (I must be getting old because I can’t remember if I already commented on this post. If I did, please forgive the repeat!)